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Hurricane Katrina was on the minds of the young Ohio Farm Bureau farmers who traveled to Washington, D.C. earlier this month to learn about the lobbying process. Not only was the hurricane splashed across newspapers and television, but it was mentioned in just about every meeting.

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns was scheduled to pop in and briefly talk to the young farmers when they visited the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) but was called away by President Bush to discuss the hurricane's effect on agriculture. During one of several American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) briefings, senior economist Terry Francl updated the farmers about the financial impact of the hurricane on agriculture, putting a $2 billion pricetag on the cost for farmers.

Adam Sharp, OFBF's director of national affairs, and Pat Wolff, one of AFBF's 18 lobbyists, gave the young farmers advice on how to talk about their issues with lawmakers who were more concerned about the hurricane. The farmers met with members of Congress or their aides as part of their three-day trip to the nation's capital.

"They know that these visits were set up before the hurricane hit, and they'll be understanding. Explain to them that while the hurricane is on everybody's minds right now, issues like the death tax aren't going away and will eventually need to be addressed," he said.

"You'll get a taste for lobbying on this trip and hopefully you'll make it a lifelong effort," OFBF President Bob Peterson told the group at the beginning of the trip.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, spoke to the farmers about his recent trip to China, saying the United States needs to improve its education system to compete with China, which is rapidly advancing with technology.

The group also heard from Floyd Gaibler, deputy undersecretary for USDA's Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. After saying things were a "little topsy-turvey in D.C. because of the hurricane," he talked about the next Farm Bill, saying international trade was probably going to play a role in shaping farm policy.

"This is going to be a more politically charged Farm Bill. We saw that with the struggles we went through to pass CAFTA," he said. "There's a strong anti-trade sentiment out there."

Kevin Fall of Butler County met with aides of Republican Reps. John Boehner and Steve Chabot. He talked about his concerns with the death tax, noting that he is a fourth-generation small farmer and that the tax could ruin the family business if it is not eliminated.

Chris Weaver, a dairy farmer in Williams County, said his 20-minute session with Republican Rep. Paul Gilmore's aide was the highlight of his trip. He talked with the aide about the energy bill that was recently passed and the upcoming vote on the capital gains tax.

"This is the beginning of me becoming more involved with government," Weaver said. "The energy of being in the city is neat. It gets you fired up a bit."

Caption: Lane Osswald of Preble County (left) introduces Floyd Gaibler, deputy undersecretary for USDA's Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Photos by Amy Beth Graves

Caption: U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, talks to the young farmers about his recent trip to China.